PORTSMOUTH — This year's Strawbery Banke Candlelight Stroll Gingerbread House Contest demonstrated the same positive progress in home construction as the rest of the Seacoast as 44 entrants crafted a sugary village of homes, a church, a lighthouse and other fanciful buildings.

The creations overflowed the museum Visitor Center and entranced the thousands of visitors who attended the 33rd Annual Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke.

Museum special events designer Kathleen Churchill noted, “Our 21st annual Candlelight Stroll Gingerbread House Contest brought in so many wonderful and creative entries, it was very hard for our community panel of judges to pick winners. For us, the enthusiasm and hard work so evident in each creation make for a winning contest each year. Many thanks to everyone who participated and all who made the process and the display so enjoyable.”

ADULT CATEGORY

This category features houses by individual adults and adult groups. The winner receives a complimentary companion membership to Strawbery Banke Museum.

First Place: A Fall Snow by Andrew Thorne. A dusting of snow covers a farm still bringing in the harvest.

Second Place: O Tannenbaum by Amy Mastronardi and Carl Neunaber. Cookies create the tree, ornaments, and presents of this design.

Third Place: 9 Hollow Tree Lane — A Fairy's Winter Cottage at Strawbery Banke by Kate Gilbert and Beth Cavalier. A quaint little house tucked in by a tree stump.

The Sugar Plum Saltbox by Lindsay and Laura Paris. A modest but adorable little creation.

YOUTH GROUP CATEGORY

This category features house constructions by school and youth groups. The winning group receives a gift bag of items from the Strawbery Banke Museum Store and a free family admission to Strawbery Banke Museum.

First Place: the Polar Express By Girl Scout Troop #229: Kelly, Lindsey, Andrea and Alecia. A very full train is getting ready to deliver toys.

Second Place: Angels Playing in the Snow by Brownie Troop # 12985. Eleven girls are making snow angels around the fire at camp.

Third Place: Mr. Sprinkles' House by CJ Neunaber and Colin Moyer. Living up to its name the yard is full of sprinkles surrounding the pretzel log cabin.

Honorable Mentions:

Winter Wonderland by Kyla McLaughlin and Lindsey Reynolds. A house covered in red, green and white for the holidays.

Hansel and Gretel by Ava Van Scoy and Isaac Soucy. A lovely version of the house that drew the two children in.

Candy Valley by Katlyn Batchelder and Emma Chisholm. A nice bench sits out front of this house.

Winter Wonderland by Rachel Sanderson and Sydney Phifer. A pond, snowman and pen of geese surround this house.

Christmas Eve by Aimee Johnson and Zoey Larson. Marshmallows create the soft snow in the yard around this house.

Candy Land by Kenzie Casey and Riley Landry. A fire pit, pond, and a pile of snowballs await visitors.

Sprinkles' Farm by Lauren Sanderson and Anna Craig. A rainbow of colors covers this farmhouse.